Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.
GERD (acid reflux) is a condition in which the acidified liquid
content of the stomach backs up into the esophagus.
The causes of GERD include an abnormal lower
esophageal sphincter, hiatal hernia, abnormal esophageal contractions, and
slow emptying of the stomach.
GERD may damage the lining of the esophagus, thereby
causing inflammation (esophagitis), although usually it does not.
The symptoms of uncomplicated GERD are heartburn,
regurgitation, and nausea.
Complications of GERD include ulcers and strictures of
the esophagus,
Barrett's esophagus,
cough and asthma, throat and laryngeal
inflammation, inflammation and infection of the lungs, and collection of fluid
in the sinuses and
middle ear.
Barrett's esophagus is a pre-cancerous condition that
requires periodic endoscopic surveillance for the development of cancer.
GERD may be diagnosed or evaluated by a trial of
treatment, endoscopy, biopsy,
X-ray, examination of the throat and larynx, 24
hour esophageal acid testing, esophageal motility testing, emptying studies of
the stomach, and esophageal acid perfusion.
GERD is treated with life-style changes, diet, antacids, histamine antagonists
(H2 blockers), proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), pro-motility drugs, foam barriers,
surgery, and endoscopy.
Reviewed by Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD on 12/23/2011
GERD - Proton Pump InhibitorsQuestion: If your GERD symptoms were not relieved by treatment with proton pump inhibitors, did you find other effective treatments?
Soda Pop & Sleeping Pills Increase Nighttime Heartburn
Both carbonated soft drinks and commonly-used prescription sleeping pills can lead to nighttime heartburn, possibly indicative of a severe degree of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), according to researchers.
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There are many symptoms involved in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy. The first early pregnancy symptom is typically a missed period, but others
A hiatal hernia is an anatomical abnormality in which part of the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm and up into the chest. Causes of hiatal hernia
Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease involving the abnormal production of extra antibodies that attack the glands and connective tissue. Sjögren's
Bronchitis is a disease of the respiratory system in which the bronchial passages become inflamed. There are two types of bronchitis, acute and chronic.
Esophagitis is caused by an infection or irritation of the esophagus. Infections that cause esophagitis include candida yeast infection of the esophagus
Eosinophilic esophagitis is an inflammation of the esophagus. Eosinophilic esophagitis has many causes including acid reflux, heartburn, viruses, medications
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Chronic cough is a cough that does not go away and is generally a symptom of another disorder such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, sinus infection, cigarette
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Dyspepsia (indigestion) is a functional disease in which the gastrointestinal organs, primarily the stomach and first part of the small intestine, function
Sleep apnea is defined as a reduction or cessation of breathing during sleep. The three types of sleep apnea are central apnea, obstructive apnea (OSA),
Iron is a mineral our bodies need. Iron deficiency is a condition resulting from not enough iron in the body. It is the most common nutritional deficiency
Dysphagia or difficulty in swallowing, swallowing problems. Dysphagia is due to problems in nerve or muscle control. It is common, for example, after a
Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a condition that causes pain in the mouth. BMS may be caused by menopause, dry mouth or allergies. Signs and symptoms include
Hiccups are a sudden, involuntary contraction of the diaphragm muscle. In general hiccups are just a temporary condition. Some of the causes of hiccups
Asthma, the main cause of chronic illness in children, has signs and symptoms in children that include frequent coughing spells, low energy while playing,
Connective tissue diseases are disorders featuring abnormalities involving the collagen and elastin.
Connective tissue diseases that are strictly inheritable
Insomnia is the perception or complaint of inadequate or poor-quality sleep because of difficulty falling asleep; waking up frequently during the night
GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is the upward movement of stomach content, including acid, into the esophagus and sometimes into or out of the mouth.
Sleepwalking is a condition in which an individual walks or does other activities while asleep. Factors associated with sleepwalking include genetic, environmental,
Scleroderma is a disease of the connective tissue featuring skin thickening, that can involve scarring, blood vessel problems, varying degrees of inflammation, and is associated with an overactive imm"...
